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The Maple Leafs enter their final 22 games with 10 more wins in regulation than losses, and with 70 points are seven points clear of Ottawa and Columbus in the wild-card race (never mind the Leafs’ desire, a challenge on a good day, to win the Atlantic Division). It goes without saying that Jonathan Bernier, Phil Kessel and Dion Phaneuf will have to remain at the top level of their respective games for the Leafs to have a shot at cementing a playoff spot. Here’s a glance at five Leafs who are capable of bringing more than they have been (keeping in mind the thoughts of coach Randy Carlyle, who figures every player can be better):

1. David Clarkson

The challenge for Clarkson is to take “he has been getting better” and make it “he has been effective on a consistent basis.” Clarkson has a mere 10 points in 39 games, but that’s not the point. Leo Komarov didn’t score much for the Leafs last season but impacted the game in other positive ways. Clarkson can be a game-changer without seeing his name on the scoresheet, and will get more ice time on the second line.

2. Joffrey Lupul

Healthy since early December, Lupul hasn’t lit up the scoreboard at an alarming rate, scoring just nine goals in his past 29 games. Perhaps we were teased when Lupul scored 11 times in 16 games last season, but he remains on pace for 24 in 2013-14. Overall, a game-in, game-out production rate has been lacking. There has been some chemistry with centre Nazem Kadri and Clarkson, but that has to translate into more offence.

3. Cody Franson

While it’s easy to be taken in by Franson’s production from the blue line — his 27 points (four goals and 23 assists) are the most among Leafs defencemen — his defensive game has taken a step back and his minus-14 is the worst on the team. Franson made strides last season, but has been stuck in neutral for much of this one. If there was a poster boy for why it’s not overly wise to miss training camp, Franson is it.

4. Nikolai Kulemin

If you accept that the 30-goal season of 2010-11 was an aberration, it’s hard to fathom how just about all of that offence could have dried up, isn’t it? There’s no questioning Kulemin’s work ethic. But he doesn’t get his great shot off as much as he can (10 teammates have more than his 54 shots). When he does, it’s worth noting four of his eight goals are game-winners. On the Leafs, only Kessel has more, with five.

5. Jake Gardiner

Again, it’s the consistency factor. Perhaps we should cut Gardiner some slack because he’s just 23, but there have been too many tear-the-hair-out moments for Carlyle and his staff this season. Gardiner looked like he had it figured out during the playoffs against the Bruins last spring, but we know now that sample size was too small. The talent is there for Gardiner; it’s a matter of working out the frustrating kinks.

Five Leafs who need to step up their game

The Maple Leafs enter their final 22 games with 10 more wins in regulation than losses, and with 70 points are seven points clear of Ottawa and Columbus in the wild-card race (never mind the Leafs’ desire, a challenge on a good day, to win the Atlantic Division). It goes without saying that Jonathan Bernier, Phil Kessel and Dion Phaneuf will have to remain at the top level of their respective games for the Leafs to have a shot at cementing a playoff spot. Here’s a glance at five Leafs who are capable of bringing more than they have been (keeping in mind the thoughts of coach Randy Carlyle, who figures every player can be better):

1. David Clarkson

The challenge for Clarkson is to take “he has been getting better” and make it “he has been effective on a consistent basis.”